Obituary of Esty Cohen

Esty ( Rubin) Cohen Born and raised in Albany, a Chabad-Lubavitch emissary in Manchester, England lost a month-long battle for her life Sunday, October 3 (25th of Tishrei) just six weeks after celebrating the birth of a son. Mother of six children, Esther Aidel Cohen was 33 years old. Her parents, Rabbi Israel and Rochel Rubin, of Capital Region Chabad-Lubavitch and the Maimonides School, focused on her middle name (after her great aunt who perished as a young girl in Slonim, Belarus, during the Holocaust) as reflecting their daughter's character. "Like the Yiddish word aidel, Esty was very refined and sensitive, genuine and modest. She shined from an early age, loving and deeply appreciating learning both in the Maimonides School in Albany, at Beth Rivkah High School in Brooklyn, and in her married years." "Esty kept detailed journals since she was a young girl through her adulthood, which we hope to publish in her memory and as a legacy," said her father. "Her lively sense of humor and practical, perceptive insight are expressed through her fascinating anecdotes and descriptions [of life] in Albany, Brooklyn and Israel." At 13 years old, Esty delivered a moving address to the International Conference of Chabad-Lubavitch Women Emissaries. "I'm just a young girl, but I'm old enough to know that shlichus outreach is not just a bed of roses. It isn't easy, and there are always new, hard challenges every step of the way." A dedicated and loving mother to her children, Esty was a strong support to her husband Rabbi Mendel Cohen in his communal work, earlier in Melbourne Australia and later in Manchester England. She leaves behind 6 children, Moishe (10), Mushka (9), Rivka (7), Chana (4), Yechiel (2) and newborn Avraham Tzvi, named after his great grandfather Avraham Hersh Cohen, a noted Talmud scholar in Jerusalem. Contributions in her memory can be made to the Maimonides School (404 Partridge Street Albany NY 12208) or to the "Cohen Family Children's Fund" c/o 122 South Main Ave Albany NY 12208. Shiva will be observed this week in Manchester England and at the Rubin home in Albany at 122 South Main Ave.